Stabilized suspension line



NOV. 24, 1953 R, C, BAlRD v STABILIZED SUSPENSION LINE Filed Nov. 7, 1949 present rnents along thel pipe of Patented Nov. 24, 1953 STABILIZED SUSPENSION LINE Raymond C.

to The Fluor Corporation,

Baird, Los Angeles, Calif., assignorV Ltd., Los Angeles,

Calif., a corporation of California Application November 7, 1949, Serial No. 125,965

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the stabilization of line structures suspended in the air Aand subject to vibration by transverse winds. VMore particularly, the invention is directed to the stabilization of elongated suspended lines of substantially circular cross-section, and among which suspended pipe lines, or pipe line bridges vibration problems to whose solution the invention is especially applicable. Accordingly, the invention will be described specifically, though typically, in conjunction with pipe suspension bridges.

Careful observations made to determine the causes and nature of vibration of the pipe span, establish generally that such vibrations are produced by transversely flowing winds, and can assume frequencies or magnitudes endangering the pipe and its connections. Such conditions may exist, for example, in relation to a suspended section of gas distribution line bridges across a river.

It is found that whereas from a stationary condition, the pipe may start and continue to vibrate at increasing amplitude depending upon 'the magnitude of the transverse wind velocity, as evidenced by measurements indicating that the more serious vibrational conditions may be induced by a `decrease in wind velocity. Vibration of the pipe appears to be induced by the approximate coincidence of the natural period of vibration of the pipe structure with the rate at which ldownwind eddies are formed by the aerodynamic interaction of the wind with the pipe. This effect is referred to in the literature as the von Karman Trail. The von Karma-n 'wind eddies alternate in direction of spin and with this alternation there is a `corresponding alternating force acting on the pipe transverse to the incident wind direction. The rate of wind eddy formation and hence the alternating force acting on the pipe is given equation:

where F=rate (frequency of eddy formation) kzconstant of proportionality v=velocity of the incident wind t=thickness of the pipe in the direction of the incident Wind My primary object is to prevent consequential vibrations of the pipe by the use of arrangewind deilecting strucby the following tures or bafes so as to produce one or the other of the following results: (l) A variation in effective wind velocity (o) along the pipe, thus minimizing the possibility of much energy being contained in wind eddies having a frequency sympathetic to the natural frequency of the structure. (2) A continuous variation in effective pipe width (t) thus minimizing the possibility of much energy being contained in wind eddies having a frequency sympathetic to the natural frequency of the structure. More specifically the invention contemplates the placement at one or both sides of the pipe, of a baffle arrangement forming with the pipe a structure of varying aerodynamic width (t), preferably by an alternating or staggered relation of the badi-les, so as to give the structure such Width variation as will prevent the formation or continuance of any serious eddy condition directed either transversely or longitudinally of the pipe.

While the invention may take different specific forms, I have shown in the accompanying drawing and will now proceed to describe a typical embodiment, from an explanation of which the features and objects referred to in the foregoing Will be more fully understood. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view showing an illustrative form vof the stabilized pipe suspensmn bridge in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a fragmentary portion of at enlarged scale; and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

`It will be understood that in any specific instance the pipe span may be carried or supported by any suitable arrangement of overhead suspension cables. Merely as illustrative, the drawing shows a pipe span I0 extending between the bridge standards I I carrying a pair of suspension cables I2. The pipe I IJ is directly supported by spaced hangers or cradles I3 suspended on the vertical drop lines I4 connected to the cables i2. As illustrative of a lateral structure for supporting and maintaining the vbaflie series in position, I show apair of cables I5 extending outwardly from the pipe at opposite sides thereof and terminally connected to the standards II. These cables are connected to the pipe cradles I3 by the transverse lines It. A second pair of cables II may be extended longitudinallyr of the pipe in relatively close relation and terminally anchored to the standards II.

As best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3,1 mount at opposite sides of the pipe I0, a series of baies Fig. 2

small, pipe 1000 feet long, each vane lll;Y will have a length ofA about 30 reet.

generally indicated at I8 preferably in the form of horizontal and triangular vanes I9 arranged in pairs I9a and I 9b so as to form together an outwardly convergent vane assembly of overall triangular shape. As will be observed, each as sembly |9a, l9b at one side of the pipe is positioned in longitudinally oiset or staggered relation to the adjacent corresponding assemblies at the opposite side of the pipe so thatftogether with the pipe, the baille vanes present a structure of longitudinally varying aerodynamic Width, the eiect of which as previously indicated, is tosc aiect the wind currents owing transversely of the pipe, as to preclude thelfvormatioii,oi-woritiriuf, ance of such wind eddies directed V eitherlstigegrally or lengthwise of the pipe, as would otherwise tend to inducepipe vibration. The, length of each baffle vane I9 may have any desired relation to the total length of the pipe span,al though the vane dimension ordinarily will be relatively Typically as applied vto a span of 3.0 inch The vanes 1 9 may be attached to the transverse cable system, and also if desired mcred- .rectly to the pipe itself, in any suitable way- As illustrative, the adiacentends ci the vane pairs Yllcand ISbmay-be connected at20 tc lthe lat- Alternately or in addition, the inner Vedge portions of the vanes may be connected more directly to the pipe, as .for .example to the straps 2 2. I

1, The conribinaticn comprisint,r elongated pipe line of substantially circularcrcss-secticn suspended inthe air .so that the line is subject lto the vibration-inducing tendcnciesfof adjacent eddy currents produced by transverse winds, a iiexible cablesuspension system includingv cables attached to saidlineat spaced intervals, a `series of-baiiles each .baieibeing @f ,varying transverse spaced lateral edges and means for supporting the bailies in parallelism with the line. l

v3. The Vvcombination comprising an elongated pipe line of substantially circular cross-section ,at oppcsitesides thereofsc that the batiesbave suspended in the air s o that the li ne is subject to the vibration-inducing tendencies of adjacent eddycurrents produced by transverse winds, a flexible cable suspension system inciuding cable attached to said lineat spaced intervals, a series 5 of bales presenting ia succession of voutwardly l convergent edges and the series extending longitudinally ofV theline at Vthe side Ythereof sothat 'the baiiies have spaced lateral edges, and means a V'flexible cabi@ suspension system including cables attached to saidline at spaced intervals, two series of bailles each baffle being of varying .transverse width extending longitudinally of the line at the opposite sides thereof so that the baiiles have spaced lateral edges, the baliies of said Vtvvc series proteine Offset in staggered rela- ;tion, and Ameans for supporting the bales in V-parallelislrl.with the line.

5. I he`omb ir 1at ion comprising an elongated pipe line of substantially circular cross-section suspended in the air so that the line is subject to the vibration-inducing tendencies of adjacent eddy currents produced by transverse Winds, a flexible cable suspension system including cables attached t0 said line at spaced intervals, two series cf bellies. each baffle having outwardly convergent edges and extending longitudinally of the lille at the opposite sides thereof so that the b aiiles have spaced later-al edges, the baies of said two series beine offset instaeeered relatill, all@ lll-dans. fQlf SuDDQltllg the baille-S irl parallelism with the line.

6. 'I he combination comprising an elongated line of substantially circular crossf'ection suspended in the air so that the line is subject to the vibration-inducing tendencies cf adjacent eddyourrents produced by transverse Winds, a ilexible cable suspension system including cables attached to said-lineal; spaced intervals, a series of baiiles each baille being of varying transverse Width extending longitudinally ofthe line at the side thereof so thatrthebaiiies have spaced lateral edges, and a cable paralleling and spaced laterallyfrom said line supportingthe baffles in parallelism with the line.

'7. The combination comprising an elongated line of `substantially circular cross-section suspended in the air-sc that the line is subject to thevibrationeinducing tendencies of adjacent eddy .Cllr-rents 'Produced by ",GldIlSl/GTS@ Winds, a ile-sible cable suspension `system including cables attached tc said-.line at spaced .intervals tWc series of baiileseachfbaiile having outwardly ccn- Vergent edges and said series extending longitudinally cf the line at the opposite sides thereof so that the baiiies have spaced lateral edges, the baiiles of said twoseriesbeing Offset in staggered relation, and a cable paralleline and spaced laterally from .saidline :supporting tbe baltes in parallelism. withY tilelineecritorio c. Beren 

